Researchers Design Paper Thin Speakers
Researchers Design Paper Thin Speakers
Posted 05/02/2009 at 5:07pm
| by Justin Kerr
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A Taiwanese based research group has developed a speaker technology that can be worked into paper allowing for ultra thin devices, or even talking posters. "A lot of companies are interested in this product," said Chen Ming-daw, a research director at ITRI. "We don't have enough people to handle all the attention right now."
The new technology is being called Flexspeaker because in addition to being paper thin, it can also be rolled up or folded. Right now the goal for minimum sheet size is around 23.6” by 17.3”, and would cost roughly $20 USD each. Unfortunately this is too large to be used in our magazine, but that doesn't stop us from dreaming of the day when our pages can sing “Still Subscribe” to our beloved readers.
According to the researchers, the paper is made by sandwiching thin electrodes that receive audio signals and a pre-polarized diaphragm into the paper structure. Right now an adapter is required between the sound source and the paper, but plans are in the works to allow any stereo source to connect directly to the paper or even wirelessly over bluetooth. The primary limitation of the speakers at this point, is that they have problems with sounds below 500hz. This means that the heavenly baritones of our very own Nathan Edwards would need to be augmented by adding a subwoofer.
Where can you see this technology being used?
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seo (not verified)
June 01, 2009 at 2:32am
he new technology is being called Flexspeaker because in addition to being paper thin, it can also be rolled up or folded. Right now the goal for minimum sheet size is around 23.6” by 17.3”, and would cost roughly $20 USD each.
pire | fare | güve | akrep | çiyan | seo | kene | ilaçlama
Kaasiim
May 06, 2009 at 9:12am
I agree, this stands a great chance of being abused by marketing companies with talking ads everywhere you turn. Cause we don't get enough ads in everything around us as it is.
nekollx
May 04, 2009 at 8:05am
i have this weird vision of it being used to in computer case frames...
dunno why for though
JackofSomeTrades
May 03, 2009 at 6:11pm
Paper thin speakers
plus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FM2-yRLFvs
equals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE-TfJQ0WKA
Blaze589
May 03, 2009 at 4:04pm
I'm sure Apple would place one of these in every one of their shipments so that when you open it would play the "welcome tune" and thank you for your purchase. I could also see this being used on netbooks with OLED displays for the ultimate flat portable.
majorsuave
May 03, 2009 at 7:29am
I can foresee annoying adds in subway stations and bus terminals with a "Al Harrington's Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man Emporium" type of voice.
Shalbatana
May 02, 2009 at 8:34pm
I can see it being used. Something along the lines of...
"Wake up Kent. This is God!.... and Kent, stop playing with yourself."
_______________________________
"There's no time like the future."
Marsel
May 02, 2009 at 7:53pm
God, i can see this being abused so much. Imagine, you're in the school bathroom, alone and relaxed, and when you stand up to wipe, the inocent looking "follow the school rules" poster screams "AHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and you freak out and fall in the toilet or something like that. =D
That's Right. YOU GOT PoWNeD! (not)
Proud owner of a Sony NS laptop, Jailbroken Ipod Touch 2g.
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dank
May 02, 2009 at 6:16pm
put the stuff in wallpaper (or behind wallpaper) and enhance a home theater systems with complete 360 degree coverage. of course it couldn't be used as a replacement because of the problems with bass but it could be a nice compliment. or give a freaky surreal experience to environments with ambient or white noise in rooms.
Sokkratez
May 02, 2009 at 5:27pm
I can see this being used in the development of The Young Lady's Illustrated Primer. Most definitely.
chronium
May 02, 2009 at 5:22pm
I can definitely see this product being used in full public transportation enclosures where people wait for buses or street cars for advertisements.
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